Sean Keating: LI hockey player of year

LI PLAYER

OF THE YEAR

Sean Keating

St. Anthony's, Goalie, Jr.

Keating has not lost a league, playoff or championship game in two years in the CHSAA, and his sterling net work helped lead St. Anthony's to back-to-back Catholic league titles. In 2010-11 he allowed only nine goals in 336 minutes for a stellar 1.205 GAA. He made 165 saves.

Keating helped the Friars advance to the state championships, which they lost by a goal. It was just his second loss in two seasons of varsity play.

"He's an acrobat," coach Jeff Stelmok said. "In my opinion, he's got all the elements that a great goaltender needs and that all starts with the mental makeup. If he gives one up he shakes it off."

Keating won a CHSAA title with his JV team as a freshman (freshmen can't play varsity sports at St. Anthony's), making this year's championship his third in three years.

If he's not on the ice with the Friars or his junior hockey team, Keating is watching hockey on ESPN or NHL Network, looking for ways to improve. "His mind-set is what makes him," Stelmok said. "I don't think he feels pressure because it's just who he is.''